Ailing woman sets herself on fire, dies in hospital

A 67-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide by setting herself on fire in a Lalbaug street on Tuesday night.

A 67-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide by setting herself on fire in a Lalbaug street on Tuesday night.

The Kalachowki police, who are investigating the case, stated that the woman committed the act following protracted illness. According to the police, the victim, identified as Sulochana Shankar Jethe, was a resident of Sophie Mahal Chawl on Dr SS Rao Road at Lalbaug.

The victim stepped out of her house at 10pm before committing the act, police said. The woman then entered a street near Jain Mandir and set her sari on fire using a matchbox she was carrying.

Police said, people nearby spotted this and immediately informed her son and daughter-in-law, with whom she lived.

She was rushed to KEM hospital, where the doctors reported 90% burns.

The doctors informed the police who reached the hospital and recorded her statements, in which she stated that she was frustrated due to her failing health over the last year and a half.

Police also said that the investigation revealed that the woman had undergone two heart surgeries last year. The police have not recovered any suicide note from the residence.

“She was not keeping well,” said Sunil Jain, senior inspector of Kalachowki police station. Jether succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday morning. The police said that they would record the statements of the family members.